1941 may have been one of the greatest years science fiction ever had. It was the year in which possibly more memorable classics were first published and in which more great sf writers made their banner appearances. In this, the third of Isaac Asimov’s continuing series of commemorative anthologies, you will find:

Nightfallby ISAAC ASIMOV

Shottle Bopby THEODORE STURGEON

Jay Scoreby ERIC FRANK RUSSELL

Adam and No Eveby ALFRED BESTER

Snulbugby ANTHONY BOUCHER

The Words of Guruby C.M. KORNBLUTH

Solar Plexusby JAMES BLISH

and more and more…

There isn’t a loser in the book—every tale is the kind of story that would have won awards if there had been such things back in the Golden Era of the great science fiction magazines.

The main plus for the Asimov fan is the original Susan Calvin story, “Liar!” in its pre-I, Robot state, although the omnipresent “Nightfall” is also included.

(It is an interesting observation regarding this series that there are few volumes with more than one story by Asimov and many without any. One wonders why.)

There are still a lot of excellent stories (and would have been more if permission had been obtained to include the four titles by Heinlein slated to be included): Theodore Sturgeon’s “Shottle Bop” is perhaps my favorite. Definitely a volume worth getting if possible.